Written Answers Tuesday 10 November 2009

Scottish Executive

Animal Welfare

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to carry out a review of the veterinary surveillance network.

Richard Lochhead: A formal review of veterinary surveillance in Scotland has not yet begun. We are in the process of actively recruiting an independent person of suitable stature to chair a review panel.

Animal Welfare

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult farmers and veterinary practices in Orkney and Caithness when it undertakes a review of the veterinary surveillance network.

Richard Lochhead: A formal review of veterinary surveillance in Scotland has not yet begun. Once the review is underway a wide range of interested parties including the farmers and veterinary practices in Orkney and Caithness will have the opportunity of making their views known to the review panel.

Animal Welfare

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on farmers and veterinary practices in Orkney and Caithness of the decision by the Scottish Agricultural College not to appoint a successor to the manager of the Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre and what the outcome was of any such assessment.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Agricultural College review the work done at Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre on a quarterly basis. There have been significant year to year fluctuations that are related to market prices for cattle and sheep, the weather and the decline in livestock numbers which has been a particular concern in the north of Scotland.

  For comparable periods January to September from 2006 to 2009 there has been downward trend in the number of carcases submitted for post mortem examination. The figures for clinical diagnostic submissions are more erratic but numbers and income are up from £28,620 in January to September 2008 to £39,920 for the same period in 2009.

Animal Welfare

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many farm inspections were conducted by each inspection body in each of the last five years.

Richard Lochhead: The total number of inspections conducted during the period 2005-09 respectively is 13,523, 11,489, 12,741, 13,423 and 11,151. The detail of calculating this data is enclosed in table 1.

  Table 1 (Financial Year)

  

 Organisation
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Animal Health
 6,369
 5,415
 6,941
 6,742
 5,996


 Forestry Commission Scotland
 467
 358
 415
 379
 157


 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
 305
 220
 224
 169
 95



  Calendar Year

  

 Organisation
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
 2009


 Deer Commission for Scotland
 60*
 60*
 52
 56
 71


 Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
 1,890
 704
 632
 1,305
 494


Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SG RPID)
 4,432
 4,732
 4,477
 4,772
 4,338*



  Notes:

  1. *Estimated.

  2. All figures are for service-generated visits and inspections, i.e. excluding visits which have been requested by the client.

  3. Animal Health figures include tuberculosis testing carried out by Animal Health staff and Official Veterinarians. 2009 data covers the period to 30 September.

  4. Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) figures cover grant payment inspections carried out on farms by FCS woodland officers.

  5. Scottish Natural Heritage figures cover compliance checks carried out by SNH or contractors working on their behalf on management agreements and on any grants made to rural land managers.

  6. Scottish Environment Protection Agency figures increased in 2008 as a consequence of one-off verification inspections required owing to the coming into force of the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations. They exclude inspections to farms for exemptions registered under Waste Management Licensing Regulations as SEPA data does not differentiate where these inspections relate to farm premises.

  7. SG RPID figures cover livestock, land-based and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) inspections.

Animal Welfare

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the extent is of the animal health surveillance work that the Scottish Agricultural College is required to carry out under its contract with the Scottish Executive.

Richard Lochhead: The veterinary surveillance work carried out by Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) is not carried out under contract. The work is managed through a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets out the framework and a series of descriptors, revised annually, which set out the detail of what is required.

  The disease surveillance activities carried out by SAC include:

  Post mortem examinations,

  Clinical diagnostic samples,

  Collation and analysis of surveillance data,

  Investigation of new syndromes,

  Wild bird surveys for avian influenza and West Nile virus,

  Zoonotic disease - investigation and reporting.

  The work required for each of the topics listed above is the subject of a separate descriptor.

Animal Welfare

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the extent is of the animal health surveillance work that the Scottish Agricultural College is required to carry out in Orkney under its contract with the Scottish Executive.

Richard Lochhead: There is no contract between Scottish Government and Scottish Agricultural College which regulates animal health surveillance activities. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28511 on 10 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  The surveillance work carried out by Scottish Agricultural College is partly led by the demand for laboratory investigation from farmers and veterinary surgeons. There are no regional targets set. Disease surveillance activities carried out by Scottish Agricultural College are monitored through a system of formal monthly, quarterly and annual reports and twice yearly formal meetings between Scottish Government and Scottish Agricultural College staff. These formal arrangements are supplemented by frequent ad hoc reports and meetings.

Animal Welfare

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial penalties would be applied were the Scottish Agricultural College to fail to carry out any of the animal health surveillance work required by its contract with the Scottish Executive.

Richard Lochhead: There is no contract between Scottish Government and Scottish Agricultural College for this work. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28511 on 10 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  The funding provided by Scottish Government to support veterinary surveillance activities at Scottish Agricultural College is in the form of an annual grant. Whether or not the grant is renewed each year is entirely a decision for Scottish Government.

Animal Welfare

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it takes to monitor the animal health surveillance work of the Scottish Agricultural College in order to ensure that it complies fully with the terms of its contract with the Scottish Executive.

Richard Lochhead: There is no contract between Scottish Government and Scottish Agricultural College which regulates animal health surveillance activities. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28511 on 10 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  The work is managed through a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets out the framework and a series of descriptors, revised annually, which set out the detail of what is required.

  The surveillance work carried out by Scottish Agricultural College is partly led by the demand for laboratory investigation from farmers and veterinary surgeons. Disease surveillance activities carried out by Scottish Agricultural College are monitored through a system of formal monthly, quarterly and annual reports and twice yearly formal meetings between Scottish Government and Scottish Agricultural College staff. These formal arrangements are supplemented by frequent ad hoc reports and meetings.

Bees

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to protect honey bees; what recent assessment it has made of the level of threat to their health, and whether it will make a statement on this matter.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government provides a range of activities and services to beekeepers free of charge, including training and education, a diagnostic service and disease inspection.

  We maintain our awareness of emerging threats by gathering intelligence and information from the range of activities that we support including the diagnostic service at Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, the Scottish Government Bee officers, the Apiculture specialist at the Scottish Agricultural College, and through our links with the National Bee Unit in York. Information from these and other sources are discussed at regular meetings with Bee Health stakeholders including the Scottish Beekeepers Association and the Bee Farmers Association.

  The Scottish Government plan to publish a bee health strategy which will provide an overarching structure for the above activities and set the direction for bee health in Scotland. However, it would be premature to make a statement before we have considered lessons learned from the current outbreak of bee diseases in Scotland.

Bees

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the spread of varroa mite in bees and what action it is taking in response to any such assessment.

Richard Lochhead: The varroa mite is considered endemic in Scotland and is neither a notifiable nor reportable disease. In light of this the Scottish Government does not have a current detailed assessment of spread of varroa.

  The Scottish Government retains an interest in varroa and the impact it has on honey bees if not managed properly. To assist and educate beekeepers in the recognition of varroa and in management methods the Scottish Government funds a full time specialist bee adviser at the Scottish Agricultural College to provide free advice and training for beekeepers.

  In addition the Scottish Government Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, part of the Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate, provides a free diagnostic service to beekeepers to confirm the presence of varroa in hives.

Courts

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the comments of Donald Findlay QC reported in The Times  on 21 October 2009 in relation to "googling jurors"; whether it intends to take action, and, if so, what action.

Kenny MacAskill: There are sufficient arrangements in place to enable the presiding judge to direct jurors to have regard only to the evidence heard in court in relation to the case, including the giving of specific directions regarding jurors conducting their own research. There are appropriate remedies, also, to deal with any cases where a juror disregards any such direction given.

Digital Technology

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve broadband access in Ayrshire.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with broadband providers regarding improving broadband access in rural areas.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has already made significant progress in improving broadband access in Ayrshire, through successful completion of the Broadband Reach Project in May 2009. The project, delivered by Avanti Communications Ltd, has provided an affordable, basic broadband service to the demand known to the Scottish Government, in the (less than) 1% of the population previously unable to access a broadband service due to distance from the exchange. Avanti is now provisioning late project registrants, and this will continue until March 2010, while project funding remains. The project has now delivered a service to over 2,200 premises, including over 100 in Ayrshire.

  Furthermore, on 23 September 2009, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced that the Scottish Government has agreed with BT a programme of upgrade work for Scottish rural exchanges which are currently experiencing capacity issues. The exchanges under consideration for upgrade are located throughout Scotland, and include ones in Ayrshire. We are not yet in a position to be able to specify the exchanges under consideration for upgrade, or any timescales, but we hope to announce these by the end of the year. Further information will be posted on our website, in due course, at www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk.

Digital Technology

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release of 23 September 2009, Broadband for rural Scotland , when it plans to announce the list of rural telephone exchanges that are to be upgraded to increase access to broadband and the programme for the upgrading work.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government hopes to be in a position to announce the exchanges to be upgraded and indicative timescales by the end of this year. Further information will be posted on our website, in due course, at www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk .

Economy

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it (a) has undertaken and (b) will publish a review of the effectiveness of recent financial market policy interventions for the Scottish financial sector.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government reviews the effectiveness of recent financial market policy interventions for the Scottish financial sector and monitors the impact and performance of the sector through various channels, including consultation with the industry though the Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) and regular contact with Scottish Financial Enterprise and individual financial services businesses. This is taken forward by a number of ministers with relevant responsibilities.

Economy

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has concerns about a reduction in competition in high street lending and what policy intervention it (a) has promoted and (b) supports to address this issue.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has concerns about the level of competition in the banking sector and our SME Access to Finance Survey highlighted the extent to which two banks are the main providers of finance to SMEs in Scotland with around three quarters of the market share. However, the current evidence around levels of competition from the survey relates primarily to the provision of finance to Scottish businesses, and not to the broader range of financial services provided by banks such as retail banking.

  Any action to improve competition, for example, moves to force banks to sell parts of their existing business, to meet European State Aid rules, must take account of the impact that any restructuring will have on improving stability in financial markets, on Scottish businesses, consumers, and the wider economy.

Finance

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a distinction between road and rail projects in the application of International Financial Reporting Standards.

John Swinney: There is no distinction between road and rail projects under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Infrastructure projects will be accounted for in accordance with the IFRS-based Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM).

  The 2009-10 IFRS-based FReM is publicly available at http://www.financial-reporting.gov.uk/.

Fisheries

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of reports that significant stocks of mackerel that formerly lived in Norwegian waters are now in UK waters around Shetland; if so, what its position is on this issue, and what discussions it has had, or plans to have, with the Norwegian Government and the European Union on the matter.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is aware of recent changes to the migratory patterns of North-East Atlantic mackerel which have brought about a change in fishing patterns in recent years. Such movements either into or out of Scottish waters are more common for this stock than for other non-pelagic stocks. Changes to the migratory patterns for this stock are implicitly taken into account each year by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) when it is formulating scientific advice on the sustainability of the stock. This advice forms the basis of all international negotiations on north-east Atlantic mackerel, which take place regularly between Norway, the Faeroes and the European Union.

Fisheries

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the adoption of an electronic net-measuring gauge to measure the mesh sizes of fishermen’s nets, replacing the wedge-shaped measuring device used previously.

Richard Lochhead: In the late 1990s, a research project funded by the European Commission evaluated mesh measurement methodologies for fisheries inspection and research. In 1999, an international study group was set up by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) to look at similar issues. At that point in time scientists were using the so called ICES mesh gauge (which applied a longitudinal force free from human influence) while enforcers and others used the wedge shaped gauge. Both had been used in parallel since the 1960s but gave different results when used on the same netting.

  The ICES gauge produced lower values on mesh opening than the wedge gauge. This was thought to have an adverse effect on the selectivity of fishing gears as the mesh sizes in commercial use were smaller in practice than those recommended by scientists. In addition, the courts in some countries had declined to prosecute in several cases where the evidence was obtained with a wedge gauge due to the lack of objectivity in this method of measurement. These factors led to an international demand for the standardisation of mesh measurement technique by fisheries inspectors, scientists and the fishing industry. Both of the earlier studies concluded that a new instrument should be developed and that everyone should use the same method of mesh measurement.

  The resultant objective mesh gauge (Omega) was developed subsequently under an EU-funded research project.

  It became a legal requirement for inspection services to use the Omega gauge from 1 September 2009.

Fisheries

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the electronic net-measuring gauge now used to measure the mesh sizes of fishermen’s nets was independently tested for robustness and reliability before it was introduced

Richard Lochhead: The objective mesh gauge (Omega) was initially developed in an EU-sponsored research project, the Omega project. The partners in the project included fisheries inspection services and fisheries research institutes from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Scotland. Fisheries research institutes from EU member countries and ICES member countries, as well as Turkey, the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), netting manufacturers and fishermen were involved in testing and evaluating the Omega gauge. Extensive trials were carried out under both laboratory conditions and at sea.

Fisheries

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the fishing industry and net manufacturers were consulted before the adoption of an electronic net-measuring gauge to measure the mesh sizes of fishermen’s nets, replacing the wedge-shaped measuring device used previously, and what views were expressed in reply to any such consultation.

Richard Lochhead: No formal consultation was carried out by the Scottish Government as none is required to simply introduce a new piece of inspection equipment.

  However, the genesis of the objective mesh gauge (Omega) goes back to the late 1990s. During initial projects to evaluate mesh measurement methodologies for fisheries inspection and research, discussions were held across Europe with fishermen and net manufacturers including with Scottish interests. During the development of the objective mesh gauge, extensive trials were carried out involving research institutes and inspection services of EU member states and several other countries, as well as netting manufacturers and fishermen. The European Federation of Rope, Twine and netting Industries (EUROCORD) also recommended the use of the Omega gauge during the production of sheet netting and urged the European Commission to adopt the Omega gauge.

Fisheries

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether research was carried out to compare the measurements of the meshes in fishermen’s nets using the new electronic net-measuring gauge and the wedge-shaped measuring device used previously and, if so, what the results were.

Richard Lochhead: The results of the laboratory trials showed that there was no significant difference between the objective mesh gauge (Omega) and the wedge-shaped gauge. In the field trials conducted by fisheries inspectors, in meshes of 55 mm or more, the measurements taken by the wedge gauge were on average 3 mm greater that those measured with the Omega gauge using a force of 100N. There was no significant difference in meshes of less than 55 mm. The Omega gauge in operational service currently uses a force of 125N to measure meshes of 55 mm or more.

  The genesis of the Omega can be traced back to the late 1990s, when a research project funded by the European Commission evaluated mesh measurement methodologies for fisheries inspection and research. An international study group was subsequently set up by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in 1999. The study group presented its final report in 2003, including the recommendation that everyone should use the same method of mesh measurement using longitudinal force. The task of developing a new gauge was undertaken in an EU sponsored research project, the Omega project. The partners in the project included fisheries inspection services and fisheries research institutes from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Scotland. Fisheries research institutes from EU member countries and ICES member countries, as well as Turkey, the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), netting manufacturers and fishermen were involved in testing and evaluating the Omega gauge. Extensive trials were carried out under both laboratory conditions and at sea.

Fisheries

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the cost of the new electronic net-measuring gauge to measure the mesh sizes of fishermen’s nets compares with that of the wedge-shaped measuring device used previously.

Richard Lochhead: The cost of the new objective mesh gauge (Omega) is approximately £1,500 per gauge. The last time wedge gauges were purchased for enforcement officers was some 15 years ago. The cost then was approximately £35 per gauge.

Fisheries

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether fishermen will receive compensation for discarding nets that comply with the mesh-size regulations when measured by the wedge-shaped measuring device used previously but fail when measured by the new electronic net-measuring gauge and, if so, what compensation.

Richard Lochhead: We have no plans to offer compensation in such circumstances.

Health

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of post-polio syndrome there are and how it monitors the number of such cases.

Shona Robison: Based on UK and international studies, the estimate of the number of people in Scotland who may have late effects of polio (LEOP) is between 6,000 and 10,200. Accurate estimates of prevalence are however difficult, for a number of reasons. Counting cases of diagnosed Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) excludes the many polio survivors who may be experiencing new problems as a result of their previous polio, but who may not have PPS as clinically defined. This wider group can be referred to as experiencing LEOP.

  The number of people with LEOP or PPS is not formally monitored. The working group set up by the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee is however, with advice from the Scottish Public Health Network, attempting to establish a better estimate of prevalence.

Health

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what centres of excellence in the assessment and management of post-polio syndrome (PPS) can be accessed by patients being treated for PPS by NHSScotland.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee (SMASAC) working group, convened in early 2009, is currently considering the best way to organise services for people in Scotland who have post-polio syndrome/late effects of polio (PPS/LEOP). This includes consideration of a multidisciplinary clinic model, which currently does not exist in Scotland, and the development of a managed clinical network (MCN) model. The MCN model would ensure that people with PPS are referred to the appropriate specialists for their particular needs, while maintaining local services for those people whose needs can be met at primary care/community level.

  The SMASAC working group expects to complete its report and recommendations by spring 2010. Meantime, patients can be referred to local specialists according to their particular needs.

  Other services such as those provided in England can be accessed by Scottish patients, if funding for such assessment or treatment is agreed by the patient’s NHS board of residence. This would normally only be approved if the specific assessment or treatment was not available in Scotland, or for other exceptional circumstances.

Health

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the NHS Information Services Division census on delayed discharges, showing 55 delayed discharges of more than six weeks as at July 2009, how much funding is given to NHS boards and local authorities to help them meet the target to reduce such discharges to zero.

Shona Robison: £29 million, previously earmarked for delayed discharge, was added to the overall local government settlement in 2008-09. We expect NHS boards and local authorities to work within their combined resources to ensure the expected zero standard is met.

Health

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the NHS Information Services Division July 2009 census on delayed discharges, what consideration it has given to addressing the causes of delays identified in the census, including lack of available care home places and pressures in meeting costs of such placements.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government’s aim is to enable people to stay at home or in a homely setting, with maximum independence, for as long as possible.

  We are undertaking a major review of care of older people, including care home provision and the financial implications. We will engage with Parliament, the professions, providers and society to agree a way forward that is sufficiently radical to meet the changing needs of Scotland’s population.

  The Joint Improvement Team is available to help partnerships address the causes of delayed discharge and to help redesign services as required.

Health

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that pressure on NHS boards and local authorities to achieve the zero delayed discharge target causes more people to be placed in care homes rather than in non-institutional services and limits options for allocating funds to community alternatives and, if so, how this issue can be addressed.

Shona Robison: Individual patients should be placed in the most appropriate setting. Ideally people will be able to return to their own homes. People should only be placed in a care home if that is what their needs demand.

  Local authorities throughout Scotland have joined with NHS partners to form a Community Care Benchmarking Network, using the Community Care Outcomes Framework to monitor and improve performance. The framework offers a rounded suite of measures and it is recognised that performance needs to be balanced across these. Both delayed discharge and balance of care measures form part of the framework, ensuring that narrow solutions to delayed discharge such as relying entirely on care home provision are balanced with the need to ensure people continue to live in their own home for as long as they wish.

  The Social Work Inspection Agency inspect services and report on the balance between home care and residential care in each local authority area.

  Sustaining the zero standard on delayed discharges should have no impact on where someone is placed.

Health

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals aged (a) under 50 and (b) 50 and over have suffered a fragility fracture in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.

Shona Robison: There is no specific definition for the term "fragility fracture". In general, it is a fracture that occurs through minimal trauma in bone that is pathologically impaired. The vast majority of such fractures will relate to osteoporosis although a small proportion will relate to malignant disease and other bone pathologies.

  The latest available information on the numbers of patients aged (a) under 50 years and (b) 50 years and older admitted to acute hospitals in NHSScotland diagnosed with both fractures and osteoporosis are shown in table 1 and table 2.

  It should be noted that some of these fractures may relate to trauma.

  A small proportion of patients may receive their treatment entirely within Accident and Emergency departments. Information on diagnosis is not collected centrally for such cases and is, therefore, not included in the following figures.

  Table 1: Numbers of Patients Aged Under 50 Years Admitted to Acute Hospitals in NHSScotland Diagnosed with both Fractures and Osteoporosis, by Health Board of Residence; Financial Years 2004-05 to 2008-09

  

 
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Ayrshire and Arran
 42
 36
 31
 24
 15


 Borders
 3
 3
 3
 2
 2


 Dumfries and Galloway
 19
 9
 6
 10
 8


 Fife
 25
 16
 35
 18
 19


 Forth Valley
 6
 6
 7
 5
 10


 Grampian
 23
 29
 34
 13
 24


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 90
 71
 71
 71
 73


 Highland
 14
 18
 18
 21
 28


 Lanarkshire
 18
 17
 24
 24
 23


 Lothian
 34
 36
 36
 43
 41


 Orkney Islands
 2
 4
 3
 4
 2


 Shetland Islands
 1
 1
 2
 1
 1


 Tayside
 19
 21
 16
 15
 9


 Western Isles
 1
 1
 0
 0
 3


 All Scotland
 297
 268
 286
 251
 258



  Source: ISD Scotland (SMR01), Ref: IR2009-02634

  Table 2: Numbers of Patients Aged 50 Years and Older Admitted to Acute Hospitals in NHSScotland Diagnosed with both Fractures and Osteoporosis, by Health Board of Residence; Financial Years 2004-05 to 2008-09

  

 
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Ayrshire and Arran
 629
 582
 558
 360
 382


 Borders
 120
 119
 145
 168
 168


 Dumfries and Galloway
 286
 296
 230
 263
 261


 Fife
 490
 501
 608
 582
 626


 Forth Valley
 148
 125
 96
 123
 90


 Grampian
 641
 817
 810
 611
 613


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 2,017
 2,014
 1,850
 1,941
 2,050


 Highland
 437
 467
 501
 537
 572


 Lanarkshire
 359
 378
 381
 378
 367


 Lothian
 840
 974
 994
 990
 952


 Orkney Islands
 37
 27
 28
 41
 44


 Shetland Islands
 13
 30
 41
 22
 20


 Tayside
 331
 311
 389
 475
 469


 Western Isles
 10
 32
 31
 29
 24


 All Scotland
 6,358
 6,673
 6,662
 6,520
 6,638



  Source: ISD Scotland (SMR01), Ref: IR2009-02634.

Justice

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases were sent to (a) district and (b) Justice of the Peace courts in each year since 2004, broken down by sheriffdom.

Frank Mulholland QC: The information held by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) does not distinguish between cases prosecuted in the District and Justice of the Peace courts and is available only by COPFS Area rather than by sheriffdom.

  The following table shows the number of accused for each COPFS Area for whom the first prosecution decision was to prosecute in the district court and, from 2008, the Justice of the Peace courts. It does not include cases where a prosecution in the district court or Justice of the Peace court followed a failure to accept a direct measure such as a fiscal fine or road traffic fixed penalty.

  The figures for 2008-09 demonstrate that procurators fiscal, as part of the successful introduction of Summary Justice Reform, supported the strengthening of lay justice by increasing the number of prosecutions in the new Justice of the Peace courts by 20%.

  Initial Prosecution Decision – Number of Accused by COPFS Area

  

Area
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09


Argyll and Clyde
3,746
3,778
2,836
2,820
2,951


Ayrshire
3,147
3,182
1,787
1,457
2,605


Central
2,964
2,792
1,679
1,784
1,800


Dumfries and Galloway
1,551
2,079
1,712
2,258
3,043


Fife
2,705
2,055
1,567
1,813
2,000


Glasgow
7,958
7,214
6,272
5,946
8,521


Grampian
3,585
3,407
3,614
4,509
5,871


Highland and Island
3,312
2,157
2,031
2,081
2,289


Lanarkshire
5,905
4,855
3,348
3,832
4,293


Lothian and Borders
7,289
7,403
7,022
5,960
6,200


Tayside
4,934
4,940
4,767
4,158
4,230


Grand Total
47,096
43,862
36,635
36,618
43,803

Maritime Issues

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with owners of Scottish shipyards and representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress anent the placing of contracts for the construction of Scottish Government owned or publicly subsidised maritime vessels.

Richard Lochhead: No such discussions or meetings have taken place.

Ministerial Meetings

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place between the Auditor General for Scotland and ministers since May 2007 and what subjects were discussed.

John Swinney: The information requested is set out in the following table:

  

 Minister
 Date
 Subject Discussed


 First Minister
 19 June 2007
 Introductory meeting


 Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth
 19 June 2007
 Introductory meeting


 2 October 2007
 Programme of performance audits


 15 June 2009
 General update on work of Audit Scotland


 Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning
 31 October 2007
 Role of Auditor General and Audit Scotland; Programme of Reports (reports on improving the school estate, Further Education overview and Higher Education estates); and any other issues of concern to Ms Hyslop (no specifics held)


 Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
 4 September 2007
Scottish Government work on free personal and nursing careRecruitment of overseas personnel in the NHS Audit Scotland’s forward work programme in Ms Sturgeon’s areas of responsibility A more general discussion on public audit in Scotland

Ophthalmic Services

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-26832 by Shona Robison on 7 September 2009, what additional steps it has taken or will take to promote the take-up of free eye health checks in deprived communities as part of its Equally Well strategy and implementation.

Shona Robison: We will remind community health partnerships about the need to issue the leaflet Your Guide to Free NHS Eye Examinations in Scotland to vulnerable groups within their communities in order to raise awareness.

Ophthalmic Services

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason an optometrist who is registered to work in one NHS board area is not able to work in any other NHS board area without also registering separately with that board.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to change the rules on the registration of optometrists with NHS boards to allow an optometrist registered to work in one NHS board area to work in all other NHS board areas without having to register with each board.

Shona Robison: The current arrangements have been developed for the protection of patients. An optometrist must join the ophthalmic list of the NHS board for any area in Scotland where he or she intends to work in general ophthalmic services. This assists with patient safety by providing NHS boards with information on which optometrists are working in their area for monitoring purposes and also enables a board to refer an optometrist for disciplinary proceedings where required.

  To reduce the associated bureaucracy, a fast track listing application procedure has been introduced. Under the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, an ophthalmic list applicant may complete one form as an application to join the ophthalmic lists of a number of NHS boards. The NHS board to which the form is sent will then undertake all of the required checks that the person is suitable to be listed and, where that board confirms that the checks have been made and that the person is suitable, the form and accompanying material is sent to the other relevant boards which may accept the optometrist on their ophthalmic lists without further enquiry. An NHS board may also accept an optometrist applying to join its ophthalmic list without further enquiry where the optometrist is already named on the ophthalmic list of another NHS board and has gone through the required suitability checks.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish police forces contribute data on protesters to the intelligence database run by the National Public Order Intelligence Unit and, if not, whether there is an equivalent database in Scotland.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish police forces, in common with all other police forces across the UK, contribute data to the National Public Order Intelligence Unit. The decision on what data is contributed is a matter for the individual police forces.

Prescriptions

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS prescriptions for antibiotics have been dispensed in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) antibiotic and (b) NHS board.

Shona Robison: The information requested is provided in the following tables. The data show the number of prescribed items for antibiotics dispensed in the community, by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors, for the years ending 31 March 2000 to 2009. These data exclude the direct supply of medicines to patients from hospitals or hospital-based clinics.

  

 NHS Board
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04


 Ayrshire and Arran
 304,577
 295,699
 294,064
 294,499
 291,448


 Argyll and Clyde
 355,033
 340,562
 341,180
 340,690
 341,554


 Borders
 74,315
 75,121
 76,239
 78,095
 76,608


 Dumfries and Galloway
 120,326
 120,326
 119,764
 118,011
 119,584


 Fife
 297,198
 285,291
 287,495
 292,596
 287,366


 Forth Valley
 226,386
 225,191
 221,593
 230,459
 228,322


 Grampian
 409,874
 386,900
 384,855
 383,614
 388,384


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 831,665
 793,627
 790,870
 810,911
 793,308


 Highland
 157,244
 147,567
 147,882
 146,664
 145,622


 Lanarkshire
 522,746
 506,298
 503,348
 522,285
 505,932


 Lothian
 570,490
 567,835
 553,288
 559,001
 551,761


 Orkney
 15,079
 12,541
 12,703
 13,329
 14,284


 Shetland
 16,965
 15,088
 16,764
 16,470
 16,584


 Tayside
 328,955
 320,021
 312,838
 314,799
 315,164


 Western Isles
 22,307
 20,739
 20,811
 22,880
 23,033


 Scotland
 4,253,160
 4,112,806
 4,083,694
 4,144,303
 4,098,954



  

 NHS Board
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Ayrshire and Arran
 293,302
 301,444
 306,296
 315,522
 325,271


 Argyll and Clyde
 340,728
 346,290
 0
 0
 0


 Borders
 76,414
 78,047
 81,094
 80,952
 83,974


 Dumfries and Galloway
 117,825
 120,409
 121,525
 123,031
 127,769


 Fife
 285,444
 294,353
 298,333
 306,839
 312,951


 Forth Valley
 227,551
 234,853
 238,241
 242,335
 248,633


 Grampian
 387,985
 401,436
 415,939
 418,995
 418,878


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 788,576
 804,345
 1,100,804
 1,127,263
 1,151,923


 Highland
 150,924
 154,171
 229,668
 230,028
 228,181


 Lanarkshire
 498,904
 508,782
 525,920
 538,563
 560,305


 Lothian
 547,308
 550,401
 557,056
 570,809
 590,622


 Orkney
 13,978
 13,674
 13,317
 13,830
 13,804


 Shetland
 17,189
 17,578
 17,555
 16,297
 17,221


 Tayside
 314,731
 324,088
 333,118
 330,041
 331,034


 Western Isles
 22,341
 22,433
 23,601
 22,825
 23,637


 Scotland
 4,083,200
 4,172,304
 4,262,467
 4,337,330
 4,434,203



  Notes:

  1. NHS Argyll and Clyde ceased to exist as a single entity from April 2006. Argyll and Bute was absorbed into NHS Highland and the remainder into NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

  2. Figures for the years ending 31 March 2006, 2007 and 2008 have been revised over previously published figures due to improved coding of individual medicines on the data source.

  3. The information in the tables has been provided by NHS National Services Scotland.

  

 Approved Drug Name
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04


 Amikacin
 0
 *
 0
 28
 8


 Amoxicillin
 1,335,324
 1,288,850
 1,270,933
 1,291,931
 1,274,814


 Ampicillin
 11,913
 8,463
 6,151
 5,407
 4,159


 Azithromycin
 9,455
 9,065
 10,134
 11,373
 13,514


 Aztreonam
 21
 37
 28
 14
 13


 Benzylpenicillin
 1,532
 1,548
 1,813
 2,039
 2,017


 Capreomycin
 0
 *
 *
 0
 0


 Cefaclor
 56,573
 52,871
 52,194
 46,957
 39,746


 Cefadroxil
 193
 187
 195
 166
 82


 Cefalexin
 263,982
 262,408
 266,397
 272,713
 273,156


 Cefixime
 4,076
 3,143
 2,889
 2,218
 1,685


 Cefotaxime
 250
 356
 379
 542
 648


 Cefpirome
 *
 *
 *
 0
 0


 Cefpodoxime
 120
 85
 81
 107
 76


 Cefprozil
 9
 14
 18
 7
 *


 Cefradine
 33,038
 27,968
 24,217
 21,922
 21,215


 Ceftazidime
 266
 216
 231
 204
 157


 Ceftibuten
 5
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Ceftriaxone Sodium
 25
 29
 31
 60
 94


 Cefuroxime
 11,507
 10,290
 9,914
 9,462
 9,383


 Chloramphenicol
 123
 147
 184
 375
 487


 Cinoxacin
 58
 38
 *
 0
 0


 Ciprofloxacin
 153,623
 149,565
 158,650
 155,052
 159,690


 Clarithromycin
 114,710
 116,196
 127,130
 138,514
 143,263


 Clindamycin
 3,510
 3,603
 4,019
 4,900
 5,292


 Clofazimine
 25
 40
 47
 21
 20


 Co-Amoxiclav
 312,617
 289,435
 283,494
 280,646
 279,879


 Co-Fluampicil
 17,550
 14,790
 13,533
 12,994
 11,969


 Colistin
 2,027
 2,033
 2,022
 2,093
 2,152


 Co-Trimoxazole
 6,064
 4,994
 4,657
 4,297
 4,143


 Cycloserine
 583
 585
 584
 415
 371


 Dapsone
 4,238
 4,201
 4,356
 4,587
 4,361


 Demeclocycline Hydrochloride
 267
 306
 399
 376
 396


 Doxycycline
 105,951
 101,745
 99,194
 97,520
 94,233


 Ertapenem
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Erythromycin
 393,544
 362,166
 344,024
 338,892
 317,703


 Ethambutol Hydrochloride
 2,511
 2,406
 2,384
 2,172
 2,026


 Flucloxacillin
 305,432
 317,014
 329,678
 344,197
 352,943


 Fusidic Acid
 1,663
 4,101
 3,556
 2,863
 2,956


 Gentamicin
 1,060
 1,116
 938
 839
 829


 Grepafloxacin
 6
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Hexamine Hippurate
 1,619
 1,575
 1,523
 795
 0


 Imipenem with Cilastatin
 5
 *
 *
 7
 5


 Isoniazid
 977
 690
 358
 819
 773


 Levofloxacin
 4,437
 4,075
 3,691
 3,460
 3,027


 Lymecycline
 10,744
 14,778
 18,794
 23,033
 28,590


 Meropenem
 70
 63
 66
 58
 54


 Methenamine Hippurate
 0
 0
 0
 698
 1,332


 Metronidazole
 148,350
 141,741
 141,507
 153,788
 153,765


 Metronidazole with Nystatin
 147
 122
 108
 106
 25


 Minocycline
 77,052
 72,141
 73,139
 72,993
 69,792


 Moxifloxacin
 0
 0
 0
 *
 99


 Nalidixic Acid
 2,937
 2,488
 2,172
 1,821
 903


 Neomycin Sulphate
 182
 157
 139
 154
 89


 Netilmicin
 14
 9
 11
 5
 *


 Nitrofurantoin
 28,749
 28,671
 28,803
 31,470
 33,495


 Norfloxacin
 8,854
 8,376
 8,759
 8,526
 8,087


 Ofloxacin
 7,438
 7,119
 8,095
 8,682
 8,893


 Oxytetracycline
 145,671
 136,565
 130,709
 129,084
 125,692


 Phenoxymethypenicillin
 336,625
 328,891
 310,603
 321,125
 305,250


 Piperacillin
 37
 34
 33
 *
 0


 Piperacillin with Tazobactam
 18
 9
 *
 5
 30


 Pivmecillinam
 *
 197
 77
 53
 27


 Procaine Penicillin
 36
 6
 0
 0
 0


 Pyrazinamide
 699
 485
 463
 385
 97


 Rifabutin
 137
 114
 125
 85
 74


 Rifampicin
 3,995
 3,571
 3,702
 3,315
 3,346


 Rifampicin with Isoniazid
 2,986
 2,843
 2,696
 2,481
 2,614


 Streptomycin
 9
 14
 8
 *
 *


 Sulfadiazine
 85
 253
 515
 130
 184


 Sulfametopyrazine
 637
 502
 446
 139
 0


 Sulphadimidine
 0
 *
 *
 0
 0


 Sulphapyridine
 0
 0
 19
 71
 65


 Teicoplanin
 72
 113
 89
 114
 118


 Telithromycin
 0
 0
 *
 0
 *


 Tetracycline
 10,824
 9,774
 9,377
 9,368
 8,423


 Tetracycline, Chlortetracycline and Demeclocycline
 2,253
 1,620
 1,454
 1,100
 866


 Thalidomide
 *
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Tinidazole
 503
 431
 433
 337
 243


 Tobramycin
 499
 395
 241
 220
 213


 Trimethoprim
 302,490
 304,840
 310,910
 313,787
 319,131


 Vancomycin
 148
 124
 160
 180
 164


 All Antibiotics
 4,253,160
 4,112,806
 4,083,694
 4,144,303
 4,098,954



  

 Approved Drug Name
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Amikacin
 16
 5
 14
 *
 11


 Amoxicillin
 1,274,136
 1,302,731
 1,341,259
 1,358,449
 1,392,269


 Ampicillin
 3,588
 2,950
 1,685
 1,102
 1,015


 Azithromycin
 14,633
 16,731
 19,231
 21,062
 25,095


 Aztreonam
 10
 6
 *
 *
 *


 Benzylpenicillin
 1,560
 1,979
 1,832
 1,791
 1,834


 Capreomycin
 *
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Cefaclor
 34,633
 31,449
 28,196
 24,551
 18,892


 Cefadroxil
 110
 92
 141
 153
 147


 Cefalexin
 279,278
 286,240
 286,338
 282,003
 266,878


 Cefixime
 1,727
 1,585
 1,590
 1,701
 1,696


 Cefotaxime
 705
 677
 812
 959
 1,268


 Cefpirome
 *
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Cefpodoxime
 100
 126
 149
 172
 140


 Cefprozil
 7
 *
 *
 0
 0


 Cefradine
 20,559
 19,873
 18,026
 17,233
 15,969


 Ceftazidime
 137
 141
 134
 88
 91


 Ceftibuten
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Ceftriaxone Sodium
 110
 136
 143
 158
 148


 Cefuroxime
 9,124
 9,626
 8,356
 8,186
 7,341


 Chloramphenicol
 261
 303
 465
 281
 257


 Cinoxacin
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Ciprofloxacin
 166,766
 177,742
 182,955
 193,209
 198,835


 Clarithromycin
 148,327
 160,952
 180,671
 196,871
 215,670


 Clindamycin
 6,069
 7,133
 8,191
 9,582
 7,969


 Clofazimine
 14
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Co-Amoxiclav
 276,942
 287,273
 294,380
 302,300
 292,815


 Co-Fluampicil
 10,666
 10,250
 9,405
 8,301
 7,232


 Colistin
 2,175
 2,450
 2,614
 2,772
 2,881


 Co-Trimoxazole
 4,346
 4,872
 4,761
 4,985
 5,023


 Cycloserine
 327
 299
 309
 278
 208


 Dapsone
 4,266
 4,497
 4,409
 4,506
 4,640


 Demeclocycline Hydrochloride
 369
 415
 567
 594
 685


 Doxycycline
 91,913
 92,720
 92,752
 95,679
 100,613


 Ertapenem
 *
 *
 *
 *
 *


 Erythromycin
 301,277
 295,640
 293,003
 288,003
 280,808


 Ethambutol Hydrochloride
 2,217
 2,113
 2,412
 2,574
 2,619


 Flucloxacillin
 357,145
 359,122
 374,161
 374,881
 396,631


 Fusidic Acid
 3,009
 2,940
 2,736
 2,323
 2,327


 Gentamicin
 798
 750
 646
 573
 512


 Grepafloxacin
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Hexamine Hippurate
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Imipenem with Cilastatin
 6
 *
 *
 0
 0


 Isoniazid
 968
 1,066
 749
 791
 836


 Levofloxacin
 3,229
 2,891
 2,917
 2,656
 2,329


 Lymecycline
 35,529
 42,316
 48,557
 60,215
 73,984


 Meropenem
 48
 69
 44
 46
 26


 Methenamine Hippurate
 1,313
 1,339
 1,340
 1,264
 1,395


 Metronidazole
 151,098
 155,100
 161,553
 169,757
 178,459


 Metronidazole with Nystatin
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Minocycline
 63,368
 54,644
 46,826
 36,159
 32,322


 Moxifloxacin
 440
 730
 1,440
 2,226
 1,633


 Nalidixic Acid
 634
 554
 139
 153
 179


 Neomycin Sulphate
 149
 178
 166
 227
 212


 Netilmicin
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Nitrofurantoin
 36,505
 39,526
 47,687
 54,559
 68,662


 Norfloxacin
 7,726
 7,485
 7,194
 5,308
 4,741


 Ofloxacin
 9,426
 9,463
 9,010
 9,087
 8,849


 Oxytetracycline
 122,495
 118,350
 114,728
 112,566
 113,288


 Phenoxymethypenicillin
 292,679
 305,535
 296,390
 308,110
 303,932


 Piperacillin
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Piperacillin with Tazobactam
 25
 35
 14
 20
 22


 Pivmecillinam
 20
 19
 33
 65
 93


 Procaine Penicillin
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Pyrazinamide
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Rifabutin
 57
 70
 64
 67
 54


 Rifampicin
 3,788
 3,680
 3,544
 3,635
 3,678


 Rifampicin with Isoniazid
 2,328
 2,112
 2,097
 2,136
 2,279


 Streptomycin
 *
 16
 0
 0
 0


 Sulfadiazine
 181
 166
 181
 95
 76


 Sulfametopyrazine
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Sulphadimidine
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Sulphapyridine
 62
 40
 *
 0
 0


 Teicoplanin
 93
 55
 37
 26
 49


 Telithromycin
 *
 10
 16
 *
 -


 Tetracycline
 7,984
 7,574
 7,365
 6,725
 6,960


 Tetracycline, Chlortetracycline and Demeclocycline
 527
 474
 100
 21
 0


 Thalidomide
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Tinidazole
 258
 234
 220
 223
 216


 Tobramycin
 255
 284
 285
 335
 309


 Trimethoprim
 324,473
 334,209
 347,127
 354,978
 376,365


 Vancomycin
 205
 256
 291
 552
 729


 All Antibiotics
 4,083,200
 4,172,304
 4,262,467
 4,337,330
 4,434,203



  Notes:

  1. *Indicates values that have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure of individuals.

  2. Figures for the years ending 31 March 2006, 2007 and 2008 have been revised over previously published figures due to improved coding of individual medicines on the data source.

  3. The information in the tables has been provided by NHS National Services Scotland.

Procurement

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many invoices from suppliers were paid by its directorates within 10 days of receipt in June 2009.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of invoices from suppliers were paid by its directorates within 10 days of receipt in July 2009.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many invoices from suppliers were paid by its directorates within 10 days of receipt in August 2009.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of invoices from suppliers were paid by its directorates within 10 days of receipt in September 2009.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of invoices from suppliers were paid by its directorates within 10 days of receipt in October 2009.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to helping businesses by paying invoices early and aspires to making payments within 10 working days. During the month of June 2009 the Scottish Government’s directorates paid 4,416 invoices within 10 working days, which equated to 87% of all invoices paid in June 2009.

  The Scottish Government also purchases goods and services using the Government Procurement Cards (GPC), and payment performance is measured by taking into account both GPC and invoiced transactions. For the month of June 2009, the Scottish Government and bodies sharing our financial systems paid 91% of all transactions within 10 working days.

  More recent information is provided in the following table:

  

 Month
 Number of Invoices Paid in 10 Days SG Directorates
 % of Invoices Paid in 10 Days SG Directorates
 % of All Transactions Paid in 10 Days


 July
 3,895
 86
 94


 August
 3,365
 90
 95


 September
 3,520
 89
 95


 October
 3,732
 87
 94

Public Sector

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many public sector staff have been relocated in the last two years, broken down by organisation.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28225 on 6 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Public Sector

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking with local authorities to explore potential public sector relocation opportunities.

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take with local authorities to explore potential public sector relocation opportunities.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28225 on 6 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  Where an analysis of the asset management and location requirements for a specific public body indicates the possibility of a relocation, the Scottish Government will engage with appropriate local authorities about the specific circumstances.

Public Sector

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review its public sector relocation policy within the next two years.

John Swinney: There are currently no plans to review the policy on asset management and relocation.

Public Sector

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding potential public sector relocation opportunities.

John Swinney: We have received a number of representations from private and public sector organisations, local authorities and MSP’s regarding potential public sector relocation opportunities.

Public Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to facilitate the implementation of integrated ticketing systems for public transport.

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to facilitate the implementation of integrated ticketing systems for public transport.

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to assist local authorities that wish to implement integrated ticketing systems for public transport.

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to assist local authorities that wish to implement integrated ticketing systems for public transport.

Stewart Stevenson: Around two-thirds of Scotland’s bus fleet is now equipped with smartcard enabled ticket machines, funded by the Scottish Government. The remainder of the rollout programme should be concluded by March 2010. We expect this to form the technical platform for integrated ticketing on buses.

  On rail, a pilot scheme is underway on the Glasgow to Edinburgh route, again funded by the Scottish Government as part of the current ScotRail Franchise Agreement.

  The Scottish Government has also funded provision of key back office systems, hosted by Transport Scotland, which are necessary to facilitate integrated ticketing and will make these available to local authorities and other partners who wish to develop integrated ticketing schemes.

Public Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many operational integrated ticketing systems for public transport there are.

Stewart Stevenson: There are a number of schemes across the UK which could be described in some way as integrated ticketing systems. The precise number is not known.

Public Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met local authorities and relevant stakeholders to discuss the subject of integrated ticketing systems for public transport.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government meets regularly with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to discuss integrated ticketing.

  Since September, meetings have been held with the following organisations, specifically about integrated ticketing:

  Confederation of Passenger Transport,

  SESTRAN,

  One Ticket (a local authority/operator JVC),

  First ScotRail,

  NESTRAN,

  Strathclyde Partnership for Transport,

  Orkney Islands Council/HITRANS,

  Dumfries and Galloway Council, and

  Dundee City Council.

Rail Services

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether investigations have been carried out into how rail passenger services between Alloa and Kincardine could be developed.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executive has not carried out investigations into how rail passenger services between Alloa and Kincardine could be developed.

  I understand that SESTRAN is undertaking a study into the possibility of services between Alloa and Edinburgh. I have expressed an interest in the outcome of the proposed study.

Renewable Energy

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider capital support for investment in biomass energy generation plant that is compliant with the EU Waste Incineration Directive.

Jim Mather: There is no Scottish Government capital support scheme targeted specifically at biomass energy plant that is compliant with the EU Waste Incineration Directive.

  Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is the main national grant scheme aimed at encouraging investment and the creation and safeguarding of jobs. Subject to eligibility criteria, biomass projects may be supported under this scheme.

  In addition, the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) provides a financial incentive for electricity generation in respect of the biomass element of waste fuel streams.

Renewable Energy

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider withholding planning permission for large-scale biomass power stations that cannot demonstrate the sustainability of their intended feedstock.

Jim Mather: Ensuring that biomass supplies are sustainably sourced is a key aim in the development of the Scottish Government’s bioenergy policies. We are taking a number of constructive steps to ensure that biomass for heat and electricity is sustainably produced.

  In April 2009, a sustainability reporting requirement for biomass was introduced within the Renewables Obligation (Scotland). This will provide a means to monitor the sustainability of biomass that is used to generate electricity. Future incentives are likely to take into consideration the EU sustainability criteria for biomass for heat and electricity, which are currently being developed.

  Both the Scottish Government and Forestry Commission Scotland are engaged at UK and international level to ensure the sustainability of biomass for energy. In conjunction with the UK Government, we are pressing the European Union to consider options for an efficient and effective sustainability scheme for suppliers of solid biomass under the terms of the Renewable Energy Directive.

  The Scottish Government is also a member of the Biomass Heat and Electricity Sustainability Working Group, a forum to develop the UK’s position on biomass sustainability and to share best practice.

Residential Care

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of stay in residential care for elderly people has been in each of the last 10 years.

Shona Robison: The average length of stay for all long-stay residents in care homes for older people who left the care home during the years 2002-03 to 2006-07 are given in the following table:

  Care Homes for Older People, Complete length of stay – 2002-03 to 2006-07

  

 Year
Average Length of Stay
  (Years)


 2002-03
 2.4


 2003-04
 2.5


 2004-05
 2.4


 2005-06
 2.6


 2006-07
 2.5



  Source: Scottish Care Homes Census.

  For each financial year, the census recorded all long-stay residents who died or were discharged from the care home and calculated the average length of stay for these people.

  Further information about the census is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/02/20094539/7.

  Prior to 2002, care homes were identified as either residential care homes or nursing care homes. Census data was collected separately for both types of homes with nursing data excluding information on length of stay. On that basis it would not be comparable with the figures for 2002-03 onwards.

  Despite increases in the numbers of older people, because of our policies to enable more vulnerable people to be cared for at home, the total care home population and length of stay has remained relatively stable.

Respite Care

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra weeks of respite care each local authority provided in 2008-09.

Shona Robison: The Concordat agreement between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) included a commitment to make progress towards delivering an extra 10,000 respite weeks across Scotland. Following discussions with the Scottish Government, and supported by over £4 million of Scottish Government funding, COSLA agreed that the target would be met by 2011; 2,000 additional weeks would be provided across Scotland in 2008-09, with further increases in subsequent years. The data for each local authority will be published once it has undergone the necessary checks.

  The Carers Strategy for Scotland, to be published in 2010, will include a chapter on short breaks/respite, as breaks from caring are a priority for many carers.

Roads

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue its determination on the planning application for the new slip road at Glenbervie that will service the new acute hospital at Larbert.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers issued their decision to authorise this project on 3 November 2009.

Schools

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive which secondary schools in Aberdeenshire have had occupancy rates of 101% or more in the most recent year for which information is available.

Keith Brown: In School Estate Statistics 2009 of the 17 secondary schools in Aberdeenshire, eight (47%) were operating at 100 per cent or more capacity. These secondary schools are:

  Aboyne Academy;

  Alford Academy;

  Banchory Academy;

  Kemnay Academy;

  Mackie Academy;

  Mearns Academy;

  Meldrum Academy, and

  The Gordon Schools.

Schools

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive which primary schools in Aberdeenshire have had occupancy rates of 101% or more in the most recent year for which information is available.

Keith Brown: In School Estate Statistics 2009, capacity information was available for 151 of the 152 primary schools in Aberdeenshire. Of the 151 primary schools, 21 (14%) were operating at 100 per cent or more capacity. These primary schools are:

  Alehousewells School;

  Alford Primary School;

  Burnhaven School;

  Crathes School;

  Crombie School;

  Drumoak School;

  Dunnottar School;

  Forgue School;

  Gordon Primary School;

  Hatton (Fintray) School;

  Kinellar School;

  Kintore School;

  Laurencekirk School;

  Logie Durno School;

  Lumphanan School;

  Markethill School;

  Midmar School;

  Pitmedden School;

  Premnay School;

  Rathen School, and

  Torphins School.

Schools

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive which secondary schools in Aberdeen City have had occupancy rates of 101% or more in the most recent year for which information is available.

Keith Brown: In School Estate Statistics 2009, there are no secondary schools in Aberdeen City recorded as operating at 100 per cent or more capacity.

Schools

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive which primary schools in Aberdeen City have had occupancy rates of 101% or more in the most recent year for which information is available.

Keith Brown: In School Estate Statistics 2009, capacity information was available for 48 of the 50 primary schools in Aberdeen City. Of the 48 primary schools, 1 (2%) was operating at 100 per cent or more capacity. This primary school was:

  Holy Family RC School.

Scottish Government Expenditure

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what items of expenditure it has incurred without parliamentary authority since May 2007 and for what reasons these contingency powers were used in each case.

John Swinney: The Scottish Public Finance Manual details the procedures to be followed where the Scottish Government proposes to undertake expenditure without the authority of a Budget Act

  These procedures have not been invoked and so no items of expenditure have been incurred without parliamentary authority since May 2007.

Shipbuilding

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations have been made to the UK Government on behalf of shipyards on the Clyde in respect of awarding the contract for construction of one or more of the Royal Navy Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability vessels.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on behalf of Scottish shipbuilding and other manufacturing sectors. Most recently, the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support wrote to relevant Scottish ministers on 16 October 2009 with an update on the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Programme.

  In March 2009, defence ministers decided to cancel the earlier contracting process for MARS vehicles. The procurement strategy was reviewed and a new, more open, procurement strategy has been put in place which will take into account commercial and market conditions. This new process intends to secure best value of money for the Ministry of Defence. Expressions of interest are being sought through advertisements in the Open Journal of the European Union and the Defence Contracts Bulletin, with a closing date of 27 November 2009.

  In accordance with EU commercial policy, and as an open procurement programme, it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to be seen to influence this process. However, Scottish shipyards have had significant success in recent years in winning major procurement contracts and the Scottish Government will continue to work with industry and agencies to give Scotland the best advantage. On 28 October 2009, the Scottish Aerospace, Defence and Marine (ADM) Industry Strategy 2009 was launched by the First Minister, on behalf of Scottish Enterprise and in conjunction with the ADM sector and the Scottish Government, to further this aim.

Speech and Language Therapy

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children and young people have a (a) speech, (b) language and (c) communication impairment.

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children and young people have a speech, language or communication impairment associated with (a) dyspraxia, (b) dyslexia, (c) stammer, (d) learning disabilities, (e) cerebral palsy, (f) autistic spectrum disorder and (g) mental illness.

Adam Ingram: There is no central register of children and young people with speech, language or communication impairments. However, the number of school pupils receiving additional support due to a language or speech disorder is reported annually in Pupils in Scotland and the Independent School Census. Pupils in Scotland is available on the government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/04/20113524/7

  The Independent School Census can be located at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/04/20113524/7.

Speech and Language Therapy

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop a national plan for services for children and young people with communication support needs.

Adam Ingram: I do not currently propose to develop a separate national plan for services for children and young people with communication support needs in Scotland.

  Scottish Government policy and legislation, including Curriculum for Excellence, the Early Years Framework, Getting it Right for Every Child and the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Acts 2004 and 2009, focus on the need to identify and meet the individual needs of all children and young people, including those with communication support needs.

Teachers

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many trainee teachers have entered their probationary year in each year since 2006.

Keith Brown: Upon satisfactory completion of their courses of initial teacher education student teachers are eligible for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland and are required to complete a period of probation; most, but not all, opt to join the one year teacher induction scheme but this is not obligatory.

  The following table provides relevant data.

  

 Year
 No. of Graduating Student Teachers Granted Provisional Registration
 No. of Students/Probationers Entering the Teacher Induction Scheme


 2006
 3,907
 3,491


 2007
 3,968
 3,431


 2008
 3,509
 3,094


 2009
 3,439
 3,056

Teachers

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many probationer teachers have found placements with (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each year since 2006, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) school.

Keith Brown: The following table shows the number of probationers allocated to each local authority as part of the teacher induction scheme.

  Information is not held centrally about the relatively small numbers of probationers who are not involved in the teacher induction scheme. Neither is information held centrally about the schools to which probationers are assigned by local authorities.

  

 
 2006
 2007
 2008
 2009


 Primary
 Secondary
 Primary
 Secondary
 Primary
 Secondary
 Primary
 Secondary


 Aberdeen City
 56
 64
 50
 72
 3
 20
 51
 27


 Aberdeenshire
 59
 60
 66
 52
 100
 60
 110
 52


 Angus
 40
 32
 40
 33
 42
 25
 47
 33


 Argyll and Bute
 31
 16
 32
 16
 29
 19
 22
 10


 Clackmannanshire
 19
 21
 23
 18
 21
 14
 25
 16


 Dumfries and Galloway
 24
 35
 30
 29
 56
 31
 42
 21


 Dundee City
 53
 47
 44
 39
 41
 31
 27
 32


 East Ayrshire
 49
 51
 46
 50
 43
 29
 58
 42


 East Dunbartonshire
 24
 26
 45
 36
 36
 35
 49
 32


 East Lothian
 58
 44
 40
 42
 47
 37
 56
 33


 East Renfrewshire
 59
 85
 49
 76
 49
 49
 56
 55


 Edinburgh City
 138
 96
 128
 89
 118
 84
 113
 71


 Eilean Siar
 8
 14
 12
 15
 6
 8
 8
 7


 Falkirk
 56
 63
 59
 44
 69
 36
 75
 31


 Fife
 87
 90
 123
 86
 122
 85
 122
 69


 Glasgow
 161
 152
 141
 116
 134
 89
 139
 122


 Highland
 67
 57
 64
 62
 61
 45
 73
 39


 Inverclyde
 36
 38
 48
 23
 32
 10
 38
 7


 Jordanhill School
 
 
 1
 3
 1
 4
 1
 5


 Midlothian
 36
 42
 40
 37
 38
 37
 41
 24


 Moray
 23
 26
 30
 18
 28
 22
 34
 13


 North Ayrshire
 48
 60
 44
 54
 53
 49
 39
 32


 North Lanarkshire
 144
 132
 149
 126
 126
 94
 130
 68


 Orkney
 7
 5
 5
 10
 9
 9
 9
 6


 Perth and Kinross
 49
 29
 41
 33
 42
 33
 40
 28


 Renfrewshire
 75
 82
 79
 89
 86
 72
 64
 61


 Scottish Borders
 21
 9
 37
 33
 25
 15
 27
 17


 Shetland Islands
 13
 8
 12
 6
 10
 5
 14
 6


 South Ayrshire
 40
 39
 46
 28
 40
 25
 39
 18


 South Lanarkshire
 130
 118
 112
 122
 130
 98
 120
 83


 Stirling
 40
 50
 35
 51
 34
 37
 50
 44


 West Dunbartonshire
 54
 48
 51
 42
 51
 45
 46
 31


 West Lothian
 80
 67
 96
 63
 98
 62
 106
 50


 Total
 1,785
 1,706
 1,818
 1,613
 1,780
 1,314
 1,871
 1,185


 Overall Total
 3,491
 3,431
 3,094
 3,056

Teachers

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers have been made redundant in each year since 2006, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) school.

Keith Brown: This information is not held centrally.

Teachers

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training course places it has funded in each year since 2006.

Keith Brown: The following table shows the number of Bachelor of Education (four year BEd) and Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (one year PGDE) course places funded by the Scottish Funding Council through its main teaching grant in the General Fund for Universities and those over baseline numbers which are funded separately by the Scottish Government.

  Total Full-Time Equivalent BEd and PGDE Student Places, 2006-07 to 2009-10

  

 Academic Year
Scottish Funding Council Funded Places
Scottish Government Funded Places
 Total


 2006-07
 4,327
 2,055
 6,382


 2007-08
 4,407
 1,255
 5,662


 2008-09
 4,396
 1,709
 6,105


 2009-10
 4,449
 1,742
 6,191

Vulnerable Groups

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of comments by the Minister for Public Health and Sport on 28 October 2009 ( Official Report  c. 20583), when its response to the issue of match funding will be made public.

Shona Robison: Our concordat with local government and the single outcome agreements that we have agreed with community planning partnerships are central to realising our goal of a successful Scotland and better outcomes in life for people in Scotland in partnership. We highly value the role that the third sector can play, within these arrangements, towards these goals.

  It is for local authorities to take their own decisions on individual financial contributions to third sector organisations and we will not be issuing specific guidance on the details of this point.

  We are very well aware of the concerns of some third sector organisations about funding arrangements and, as outlined by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on 29 October 2009, we have taken a number of steps at national level to provide certainty and security of funding to the third sector in Scotland.

Vulnerable Groups

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of comments by the Minister for Public Health and Sport on 28 October 2009 ( Official Report  c. 20583), what organisations it has consulted on the issue of match funding.

Shona Robison: Our concordat with local government and the single outcome agreements that we have agreed with community planning partnerships (CPPs) are central to realising our goal of a successful Scotland and better outcomes in life for people in Scotland in partnership. We highly value the role that the third sector can play, within these arrangements, towards these goals.

  It is for local authorities to take their own decisions on individual financial contributions to third sector organisations and we will not be corresponding with local authorities and CPPs on the details of this point.

  However, we are very well aware of the concerns of some third sector organisations about funding arrangements and, as outlined by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on 29 October, we have taken a number of steps at national level to provide certainty and security of funding to the third sector in Scotland.

Vulnerable Groups

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of comments by the Minister for Public Health and Sport on 28 October 2009 ( Official Report  c. 20583), whether there will be fresh guidance to local authorities and community planning partnerships on match funding.

Shona Robison: Our concordat with local government and the single outcome agreements that we have agreed with community planning partnerships (CPPs) are central to realising our goal of a successful Scotland and better outcomes in life for people in Scotland in partnership. We highly value the role that the third sector can play, within these arrangements, towards these goals.

  Under these arrangements, it is for local authorities to take their own decisions on individual financial contributions to third sector organisations and we will not be issuing specific guidance to local authorities and CPPs on the details of this point.

  However, we are very well aware of the concerns of some third sector organisations about funding arrangements and, as outlined by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on 29 October 2009, we have taken a number of steps at national level to provide certainty and security of funding to the third sector in Scotland.

Vulnerable Groups

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the next steps are in its plans to implement the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme.

Adam Ingram: The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme) is a new membership scheme that will replace and improve upon current disclosure arrangements for people who work with children and protected adults. It is expected to go live towards the end of 2010 and will be phased in to minimise any administrative burden on organisations.

  The PVG Scheme will help to ensure that those who have regular contact with vulnerable groups through work do not have a known history of harmful behaviour. It will be quick and easy to use as it will reduce the need for PVG Scheme members to complete a detailed application form every time a disclosure check is required. Overall it will strike a balance between proportionate protection and robust regulation and make it easier for employers to determine who they should check to protect their client group.

  A package of draft secondary legislation and guidance is today being published for consultation with individuals, groups and organisations that will be affected by the PVG Scheme. This marks a significant step towards implementation.

  Included in the package is a draft Scottish Statutory Instrument on the two tier fee levels for PVG Scheme membership and disclosure requests. The two-tier fee level reflects feed back from earlier consultation with the vulnerable groups’ workforce.

  The PVG Scheme introduces different disclosures which aim to suit different needs to make the system as quick and efficient as possible. More detailed information about the fees associated with the different disclosure types is contained in the draft SSI.

  The proposed higher tier fee level of £59 will be payable when an individual first joins the PVG Scheme.

  The proposed lower fee of £18 will be payable for most PVG Scheme Record Updates on existing scheme members.

  All PVG Scheme Record Disclosures and Updates will continue to be made available free of charge for volunteers who work with vulnerable groups in the voluntary sector, in Scotland.

  The purpose of the PVG Scheme Record Update is to enable employers to check quickly, easily and cheaply that employees or potential employees (paid or unpaid) are PVG Scheme members. This means they are not barred from working with vulnerable groups.

  As over 90 per cent of PVG Scheme members are expected to have no relevant vetting information on their record this will make the whole transaction immediate and help to speed up recruitment decisions. It is anticipated that organisations will save money in the longer term as the PVG Scheme ends the need for people to complete and submit a detailed application form every time a check is required.

  At the same time as the PVG Scheme is introduced, the Scottish Government plans to increase the fee for Police Act disclosures (basic, standard and residual enhanced) from £23 to £25. This will have no bearing on PVG Scheme members.

Waste Management

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider banning all waste wood from landfill.

Richard Lochhead: Section 5.3 of the Zero Waste Plan consultation paper is currently seeking views on the topic of landfill bans. This section can be accessed via the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/08/19141153/12 .

  Question 20 specifically asks for views on materials or streams or products which could be banned from landfill.

  The consultation ends on 13 November 2009.

  The Scottish Government is also participating in a UK-wide project examining potential landfill bans. More information on this can be found in Annex L to the consultation paper. The annex can be also be accessed via the link above.

  Should any specific waste stream or material, such as waste wood, be identified following analysis of the responses, further consultation would take place before any landfill ban was introduced.

Waste Management

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that disaggregating the waste wood stream into recyclable and contaminated material would increase recycling and decrease landfill.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government’s view is that the separating of any waste, including wood, into recyclable and non recyclable materials would have a positive effect on recycling rates whilst also reducing waste going to landfill.

  As part of our consultation on the Zero Waste Plan, we are asking stakeholders to comment on what they consider needs to be done by Scottish Government to increase recycling rates and we will consider these comments in due course.